Moreland's game-ending HR gives Rangers 2-1 win over Royals
- by Grant Boone
- in Sports
- — Aug 2, 2016
Mitch Moreland hit a two-out home run off Brooks Punders in the bottom of the ninth to help the Texas Rangers win in walk-off fashion over the Kansas City Royals, 2-1.
The Royals led 1-0 after the first inning when Alcides Escobar came home on an Eric Hosmer groundout.
Kansas City has now dropped eight of its last nine games. The Royals went 7-19 in July, their worst month since recording the same record in July 2012.
Rougned Odor looks to rough up Kansas City pitching for the third consecutive game when his Texas Rangers host the Royals on Saturday in the third contest of their four-game set.
Moreland's two-run homer was his 18th this season, the last five coming within 16 at-bats.
Right-hander Lucas Harrell went six innings and gave up three runs on four hits topick up the win in his Rangers debut.
"More than anything else, what we saw this weekend is when we get quality starts. we have an opportunity to utilize our bullpen the way we need to", Texas manager Jeff Banister said.
"I'm not a savior", said Harrell, who won for the first time in his career at Globe Life Park.
"Just waiting for it to pick up", manager Ned Yost said. Banister will always be the man to answer those questions, and he seemed pleased but unsurprised by Harrell's Rangers debut. Moreland singled to start the seventh and scored on Hanser Alberto's double to the left-field corner to give the Rangers a 5-3 lead.
Watch the Royals Live pregame and postgame shows before and after every Kansas City Royals game on FOX Sports Kansas City. "That's what we needed in that spot to allow our offense to get in the dugout and put some runs on the board. It's just not happening". The Rangers also get a boost in the fact that over the last two plus months of the season the Rangers play 31 home games, where the club is 33-17. Gee said the scouting report on Moreland was to pitch him down and in. The Royals released Triple-A Omaha OF Travis Snider. We know we're capable of playing a lot better baseball."TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, FSN Southwest (Texas)PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (6-9, 4.41 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (7-7, 4.38)Kennedy has lost his last three decisions as part of a five-start winless stretch".
Royals: Closer Wade Davis headed back to Kansas City on Saturday night for an MRI on his right arm. Harrell was 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in five starts for the Braves, including six scoreless innings in a win Tuesday at Minnesota. To take Davis' place on the roster, the Royals called up left-handed pitcher Matt Strahm from Northwest Arkansas.
Rangers: OF Shin-Soo Choo is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday after being out since July 20 with lower back inflammation.
